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(The space shuttle was cheaper to operate per payload in orbit than falcon 9, and was human-rated from the start. Most of the cost of the program was R&D. But i
by orwin 5y ago
(The space shuttle was cheaper to operate per payload in orbit than falcon 9, and was human-rated from the start. Most of the cost of the program was R&D. But indeed, it was not safe enough, especially compared to newer rockets, and even older ones)
- inglor_cz 5y ago"The space shuttle was cheaper to operate per payload in orbit" This is somewhat surprising to me. SS launches were very expensive. Is it possible that SS was cheaper per maximum payload? The catch is that maximum payload for SS was pretty big and its capacity was underutilized. "Most of the cost of the program was R&D." Well, refurbishment of the orbiters after each return was a significant recurring cost in both work-hours and money. The heat shield was a maintenance nightmare.